Japanese Maple hollow twigs

Discussion in 'Maples' started by Rosy_S_Cenario, Aug 18, 2021.

  1. Rosy_S_Cenario

    Rosy_S_Cenario Active Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    My potted Japanes Maple "Jordan" and others had twigs snapped off by strong gusts of wind on my terrace. Where twigs failed, they are hollow on all trees. I cut off at a lower location cleanly for the photo. Looks like Bamboo. Higher up, the twigs were not hollow.

    What type of disease is this?

    Thanks for any hints!

    Acer Palmatum hollow twigs.jpeg
     
  2. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,790
    Likes Received:
    13,235
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    Good morning Rosy, this is not a disease, but a wood borer beatle that has caused this problem.

    D
     
  3. Rosy_S_Cenario

    Rosy_S_Cenario Active Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    Thanks Acerholic, well, that sounds... bad. So, effectively, I have to get rid of the infected trees, as it seems to be in nearly all branches?

    I wonder how these bugs got there, 2nd floor city house terrace, only an array of acers in pots, no soil, grass or other greenery nearby.
     
  4. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,656
    Likes Received:
    5,285
    Location:
    nr Orléans, France (E.U.)
    I would not : although I try to avoid chemicals, in that case I would prune the tree to what's left by the borer and use pesticide.

    I'm pretty sure it will recover next spring...
     
  5. Rosy_S_Cenario

    Rosy_S_Cenario Active Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    That would mean pruning the trees down to not much more than a one-foot stub with two or three twigs above the graft joint...

    They were already 10 years of age : (
     
  6. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,790
    Likes Received:
    13,235
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    I agree with Alain and tbh Rosy you have nothing to lose. You will be surprised at how they can bounce back by really severe chopping back.
     
  7. Rosy_S_Cenario

    Rosy_S_Cenario Active Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    All right, nothing to lose... chop them all now, in autumn - or wait for early spring?
     
  8. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,790
    Likes Received:
    13,235
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    Chop them back now as you are doing this to rid yourself of the beatles.
    Remember the rule of thumb that you can prune out dead or diseased wood at any time of the year.
    Good luck and do let the forum know how you get on.

    D
     
  9. Rosy_S_Cenario

    Rosy_S_Cenario Active Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Berlin, Germany
    All right, I shall get to it this weekend then. With all those missing and a few still good twigs here and there, they'll probably look like a Werewolf plant ; )
     
    Acerholic likes this.
  10. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

    Messages:
    15,790
    Likes Received:
    13,235
    Location:
    Hampshire England Zone 8b UK
    But next Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!
     

Share This Page